A statue of Josiah Wedgwood, the 18th-century pottery founder and abolitionist, was demolished after a council leader stated it was “best to get rid”.
The 10ft red brick statue had been erected in Festival Park in Stoke since 2009, but was destroyed earlier this year during work to widen a nearby road. Stoke-on-Trent City Council issued an apology for the destruction and had appeared to blame contractors, calling it a “significant operational error”.
However, it has now been revealed that former deputy council leader, Daniel Jellyman, had approved the demolition of the statue, telling officers “nothing lasts forever, best to get rid”.
Emails and memos between Jellyman and council officers were uncovered by a freedom of information request by BBC Radio Stoke. A note had stated that the statue, which had to be moved for the roadworks, had deteriorated and moving it without causing damage would be difficult and expensive.
Removing and disposing of the statue by a contractor would therefore cost very little. Jellyman, who was cabinet member for heritage at the time, agreed to the statue’s demolition.
He resigned last month from this role and as deputy council leader. An investigation by the council found the correct approvals had not been in place.
»10ft Wedgwood statue demolished after deputy council leader’s order«
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